Improvement in cradles



A. .WOODWARD.

CRADLES. I 510,183,351 Y Patented ongn, 1-876.

N- PETERS. FHOTO-LITHOGRAPHER, WASNINCDTONv D, C.

UN'IED STATES PATENT QEErcE.

ABNER WOODWARD, OF SHELBUBNE FALLS, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT IN CRADLES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 183,357, dated October 17, 1876; application filed March 7, 1876.

To all whom it may concern 7 Be it known that I, ABNER WOODWARD, of Shelburne Falls, in the county of Franklin and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Baby-Cradles, of which the following is a specification The object of my invention is to provide a cradle that is especially convenient and serviceable. It is light in weight, strong, and at the same time, on account of its peculiar construction, it is elastic in all its parts, susceptible to the slightest motion, and therefore easily swung, and it is also easily moved by means of the wheels which are attached to its supports, thereby combining with it all the advantages of a baby-carriage.

In the drawings, Figure 1 represents a perspective view of the cradle, together with its adjustable top or hood. Fig. 2 represents a plan view of the cradle in combination with its supports.

The cradle A is made of any suitable and elastic material, either wood or metal. The top rails B B approach each other at either end, thus forming an elliptical opening. They terminate in the enlarged extremities or knobs G O of the bottom rail D, which passes along the bottom of the cradle, from one end to the other, and curving upwardly at each end. In the top of the knobs O O screw-eyes are inserted, to which are connected rings, by which the cradle is suspended from the spring-hooks E E at the top of the supports F F. Ribs G G extend transversely around the bottom of the cradle, from one top rail to the other. An

adjustable top or hood, H, is designed to be extended over the cradle A, for the purpose of protecting the face of the occupant. Its frame is made of material similar to that of the cradle. It is easily adjusted to the cradle by inserting the lower end of the rib I into the socket J on the knobs G O at either end of the cradle, and springing the mortise in the lower extremities of the transverse ribs K K onto the inside of the top rails of the cradle. The elastic pressure of the transverse ribs K K against the top rails B B holds them firmly in place. The cradle, without the adjustable top, presents the shape of- .a hemispheroid. The supports F F of the cradle are composed of two pieces of the same elastic material as that of the cradle. They are bent in an oval shape, the central portions of which, from a to I), being made straight, so that they may rest more firmly upon the floor. Attached to each support on the bottom, at either a or b, are wheels L L, made of wood or metal, the axles of which may be fastened to the supports F F by clasps secured to them with set-screws, or by bolts passing through the supports, or in any other suitable manner. The supports F F are joined together at their upper extremities M M by hinges, to which are attached the elastic hooks E E, the upright portion of which, and on which the cradle is supported, is composed of a coil-spring, or other material of an elastic nature. Near the top of that end of the supports F F which is the greatest distance from the wheels L L is fastened a strap or handle, N, for raising the supports, and thus throwing the weight of the cradle upon the wheels, for the convenience of moving it from place to place. Braces O O, with or without joints, are attached to and near either end of the supports F F, to control the separation of the bottom of the supportswhen in position to suspend the cradle.

What I claim is- The combination,in acradle, of the portable cradle-body A, made of any elastic material,

and elliptical in form, suspended by means of suitable rings andspring-hooks E E to the hinged extremities M M of the bent supports F F, to the bottom of which are attached wheels, in such a manner that, by raising one of these extremities by means of a strap or handle, the weight of the cradle is thrown upon the wheels, for the greater convenience of moving it from place to place, substantially as described.

ABNER WOODWARD.

Witnesses:

OHARLEs E. ALLEN, H. 0. WHEELER. 

